Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists, the central government has announced a nationwide civil defence mock drill scheduled for May 7, 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to pursue the perpetrators of the attack and those who took part in its conspiracy to the "ends of the earth" to inflict punishment on them "beyond their imagination".
Nearly 300 ‘civil defence districts’ housing critical infrastructure such as nuclear facilities, military bases, refineries, and dams are set to undergo the drills that include air-raid siren tests, civilian preparedness exercises for potential attacks, and maintenance of bunkers and trenches.
ALSO READ: Mock drill in India: What it is and what to expect during the May 7 war-like emergency blackout exercise amid India-Pakistan tensions
A civil defence mock drill is a large-scale preparedness exercise. It tests how quickly and effectively a civilian population can respond to an emergency — particularly during war-like situations such as missile strikes or aerial attacks.
The drills simulate real-world scenarios: lights in cities are switched off, air raid sirens go off, civilians practice taking shelter, and emergency services respond in real-time. The aim is to reduce panic, avoid chaos, and save lives.
ALSO READ: From blackouts to bunkers: Inside India’s civil defence mock drills across 244 districts on May 7
The need for blackouts
Lighting restrictions are an important feature of the precautionary measures to be taken as a form of security against air attack, said a 2003 document titled ‘General Principles of Civil Defence in India.’
According to the document, blackouts create problems for advanced high-speed aircraft. "The anxiety level of the enemy pilot in the cockpit would be more if the area is dark," it says. The document says the objective is to ensure that "no light shall be visible at a height of 5,000 ft above ground level under normal visibility conditions"
ALSO READ: Home Ministry orders civil defence drills nationwide as India-Pakistan tensions rise after Pahalgam attack
As per the document, “Lighting restrictions must be implemented gradually and not all at once. These curbs would apply to street lights, factories and also lights from vehicles. All illuminated advertisements are prohibited in the vulnerable areas -- this is important for urban centres with large markets.”
With significant changes in the threat perception and latest technological advancement, the current procedure of black-out poses considerable problems of high-speed aircraft and the anxiety level of the enemy pilot in the cockpit would be more, if the area is dark, the document said.
Dos and don’ts during a blackout
All public lighting shall be reduced to a minimum compatible with public safety, the document said. In addition to this, “No direct ray from a street lamp shall be emitted except at a downward slope. Light thrown on the ground shall not be greater than that from a 25 watt bulb at a distance of 20 ft. or an ordinary hurricane lantern at a distance of 6 ft.”
No lights should be used in any building unless it is screened by opaque material. The instructions said: "(a) No ray, direct from the source of light, or reflected from a bright surface, is visible outside the roofed portion of the building: (b) No glare is thrown upwards outside the building or any part of it". No light for decoration or advertisement will be allowed outside any building.
Early blackout drills already underway
Some areas have already begun similar exercises. On Sunday evening, Ferozepur Cantonment in Punjab held a 30-minute blackout drill. Located near the India-Pakistan border, the area is among those on high alert. The drill served as a preview of the upcoming nationwide exercise.
What the civil defence mock drill on May 7 means for the public
The government wants people to treat this as a preparedness exercise. It is not a sign of panic. The drill allows both the authorities and the public to understand their roles better. Officials are expected to assess the outcome and make improvements if needed.
Things to remember for May 7 civil defence drill
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to pursue the perpetrators of the attack and those who took part in its conspiracy to the "ends of the earth" to inflict punishment on them "beyond their imagination".
Nearly 300 ‘civil defence districts’ housing critical infrastructure such as nuclear facilities, military bases, refineries, and dams are set to undergo the drills that include air-raid siren tests, civilian preparedness exercises for potential attacks, and maintenance of bunkers and trenches.
ALSO READ: Mock drill in India: What it is and what to expect during the May 7 war-like emergency blackout exercise amid India-Pakistan tensions
A civil defence mock drill is a large-scale preparedness exercise. It tests how quickly and effectively a civilian population can respond to an emergency — particularly during war-like situations such as missile strikes or aerial attacks.
The drills simulate real-world scenarios: lights in cities are switched off, air raid sirens go off, civilians practice taking shelter, and emergency services respond in real-time. The aim is to reduce panic, avoid chaos, and save lives.
ALSO READ: From blackouts to bunkers: Inside India’s civil defence mock drills across 244 districts on May 7
The need for blackouts
Lighting restrictions are an important feature of the precautionary measures to be taken as a form of security against air attack, said a 2003 document titled ‘General Principles of Civil Defence in India.’
According to the document, blackouts create problems for advanced high-speed aircraft. "The anxiety level of the enemy pilot in the cockpit would be more if the area is dark," it says. The document says the objective is to ensure that "no light shall be visible at a height of 5,000 ft above ground level under normal visibility conditions"
ALSO READ: Home Ministry orders civil defence drills nationwide as India-Pakistan tensions rise after Pahalgam attack
As per the document, “Lighting restrictions must be implemented gradually and not all at once. These curbs would apply to street lights, factories and also lights from vehicles. All illuminated advertisements are prohibited in the vulnerable areas -- this is important for urban centres with large markets.”
With significant changes in the threat perception and latest technological advancement, the current procedure of black-out poses considerable problems of high-speed aircraft and the anxiety level of the enemy pilot in the cockpit would be more, if the area is dark, the document said.
Dos and don’ts during a blackout
All public lighting shall be reduced to a minimum compatible with public safety, the document said. In addition to this, “No direct ray from a street lamp shall be emitted except at a downward slope. Light thrown on the ground shall not be greater than that from a 25 watt bulb at a distance of 20 ft. or an ordinary hurricane lantern at a distance of 6 ft.”
No lights should be used in any building unless it is screened by opaque material. The instructions said: "(a) No ray, direct from the source of light, or reflected from a bright surface, is visible outside the roofed portion of the building: (b) No glare is thrown upwards outside the building or any part of it". No light for decoration or advertisement will be allowed outside any building.
Early blackout drills already underway
Some areas have already begun similar exercises. On Sunday evening, Ferozepur Cantonment in Punjab held a 30-minute blackout drill. Located near the India-Pakistan border, the area is among those on high alert. The drill served as a preview of the upcoming nationwide exercise.
What the civil defence mock drill on May 7 means for the public
The government wants people to treat this as a preparedness exercise. It is not a sign of panic. The drill allows both the authorities and the public to understand their roles better. Officials are expected to assess the outcome and make improvements if needed.
Things to remember for May 7 civil defence drill
- Stay calm and follow local instructions
- Keep basic supplies like water, medicines, and flashlights ready
- Avoid sharing rumours or unverified news on social media
- Do not panic if power or internet goes down briefly
- Listen to radio or government channels for official updates.
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